Beijing is moving to ban steering wheels shaped like yokes, commonly found in some Tesla models, as part of a sweeping update to national safety standards for automobiles. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the draft standard, GB 11557-202X, which removes all technical requirements relating to non-circular steering controls, signaling a cautious approach to unconventional steering designs.
The new regulations, slated to capture effect January 1, 2027, focus on “Safety requirements for protection of occupants from injuries caused by vehicle steering mechanisms.” The core change eliminates the technical basis for approving vehicles equipped with yoke-style steering, often referred to as “steering wheels” in the draft standard, according to documents reviewed by world-today-news.com. This includes oval or rectangular shaped steering controls.
The move reflects a broader trend towards prioritizing simplicity and intuitive design in vehicle controls, with regulators expressing concern that unconventional steering configurations could increase the risk of injury in the event of a collision. The standard’s publication follows similar regulatory actions regarding concealed door handles, also previously featured in Tesla vehicles, indicating a preference for readily accessible and familiar features.
The GB 11557-202X standard specifies technical requirements and test methods for preventing steering mechanisms from causing injury to drivers during frontal collisions, applying to category M1 and N1 vehicles, as well as multi-purpose trucks. A separate standard, GB 17675—XXXX, addresses basic requirements for steering systems, applying to a wider range of vehicle categories. The updated GB 17675 standard removes definitions related to advanced driver assistance steering systems and controllability, and adds definitions for storage devices and energy management systems.
The changes to GB 17675-2021, the previous iteration of the standard, also include revisions to functional safety requirements for steering electronic control systems. The new standards do not apply to vehicles with pneumatic transmission steering systems or those equipped with fully autonomous steering systems.
The ban on yoke-style steering is expected to impact automakers considering incorporating such designs into vehicles sold in the Chinese market. The regulations provide manufacturers approximately two years to adapt their designs to comply with the new requirements. As of today, MIIT has not commented on specific manufacturers or models that will be affected by the new standard.